feeding baby in hospital

[Meplusyouequals4]

hi all

just wondering what all your experiences have been feeding baby in hospital. This will be my second. my first was express fed, I hand expressed in the small containers(supplied by hospital) then teats where put on (supplied by hospital. 2 days in to my 6 day stay my milk stopped coming due to blocked milk ducts, the hospital them supplied formula in small glass bottles with teats.

what has everyone else's experienced?

I put them on the breast. Couldn't be arsed faffing around.

I just breastfed them all. Is there a reason you were having to express?

I've never expressed with any of my 3. Too much faff. If they needed a bottle ever they got formula in it.

Hospital provided one milk bottle only and then no more so DH had to go out and buy bottles/milk while we were still in hospital. We used cartons which were stored in their little bottle making area and they provided Milton for sterilising. Next time will be prepared and take milk with us.

I breast fed mine, but I know hospitals all have different systems for formula feeding. If you want to know what would happen if you wanted to formula feed, or if it became medically necessary, then your midwife is the best person to advise about your local hospital.

The provisions for formula feeding by choice and when it is medically necessary may well differ. In my local hospital, formula is not provided for those that choose formula, and they advise what to bring in with you. If it became medically necessary (or you just didn't bring any?!) then they will have it to hand as they're not going to let a baby starve.

Not sure if it's different because DS was in NICU/SCBU but they had bottles of ready made formula and screwed teats directly on to these or poured down the ng tube. I'm sure they had all the main brands available but we were on a prescription only formula as DS was so small. When he was big enough to use a proper bottle we brought them in and they provided Milton for sterilising. We went home on prescription formula so never had to provide it in hospital.

I had to express for both of my DC while in hospital, both times the hospital provided access to hospital grade breast pumps and gave me the accessory bits (sterile disposable ones) for the breast pump.

Re. formula - the maternity ward policy was that if a mother chose to formula feed, she had to supply her own formula. If formula was needed because it was medically necessary (i.e. mother had intended to breastfeed but supplementary formula was required), the maternity ward could give that out. We needed supplementary formula with DS2 because he was jaundiced and needed extra fluids, and the hospital provided the formula he needed until my milk came in.

DS1 was in SCBU when new born, and they provided formula for the babies - all the main brands - regardless of whether the mother's original intent was to breastfeed or to formula feed.

What if I intend to BF, but it doesn't go well i.e. Baby doesn't latch or it just doesn't work (is that possible?) should I take formula & bottles etc just incase? I'd hate to be stuck in because I was finding bf difficult

I breastfed, but was constantly asked if I wanted to give a bottle.

Most midwives just offered to get me one, but one gave me a telling off for not bringing my own.

I had no issues bf, btw. Just every time anyone saw me bf they asked if I wanted a bottle!

I have bought a box of ready made,sterile bottles with teats ( also sterile) and packed separately, ready to screw on. they are SMU and 6x100 ml for 6.99 in sainsbury's.
I intend to try breast feeding as best as I can but I also want to be prepared in case my milk doesnt come in straight away or baby can latch etc.
I think its worth it rather than worry about getting some from the MW's or sending DH out on a hunt :) xx

I just breastfed - got help from the midwives to get the latch right, and my milk came in after a couple of days. Babies are more efficient than a pump at getting milk out,.

I've been told to express because I'm prone to getting blocked ducts (even when not lactating) so it reduces the risk of them.

I've bought one of those sma packs as well. I'm having a ELCS do you think I should get more just in case? (I've been told by my consultant ill be in for 4 -6 days)

It's been 5 years since my last baby was born and I'm just wondering what everyone's experiences have been

I just breastfed also

I was also told they would provide formula etc if needed if we had intending to breastfeed but couldn't for whatever reason, but if you plan to formula feed from the start should bring your own

I'm surprised, I would have assumed feeding would have been better than expressing at keeping ducts clear, as baby is much more efficient at removing milk than a pump/hand!

mumof it's what my doctor tells me to do. I just follow there instructions. I would love to bf but I just don't think I would be able to. If it gets blocked it's horrendous pain and I don't want to have an upset child cos I can't get what they need

Is there a reason your Dr thinks you will be in that long?

24-48 hours is more common

I'm having a planned section. I also have several health problems. With my DD I had an emergency section and was in for 6 days due to complications.

I can't be cut along the bikini line. I have to be cut from near my belly button downwards and it's a higher risk section.

I would probably check with a specialist about the "expressing better than bf for blocked ducts" thing. I can't think of a reason that would be true, especially as you can shift a baby's position to more effectively empty different parts of the breast (when clearing a blocked duct the advice to line the baby's chin up with the blockage has always helped me, for example). And if you had to stop due to blocked ducts after two days' expressing last time it's hard to see how bf could be worse, even if it's no better.

Re. Bf vs. expressing

Presumably if the o/p can't or isn't advised to bf because of the duct thing, the presumably bf will trigger supply more effectively, and while better in the short term, will make it more difficult to stop.

Expressing will keep the ducts clear (and baby might as well drink it!) without stimulating supply as much as bf so it can be stopped gradually..

I'd ask your consultant though, it's just my logic, no basis in fact :)

Tessa1706 you probably already know this but just wanted to make sure you're aware that your milk won't come in until about 3-5 days after you give birth. Just that your post sounded like you are expecting it to be straight away, and it won't be

micah that's I think I will ask again, I've been told to start expressing the week before baby is due by section. so it can come in gradually.

I'm really confused by everything to do with breastfeeding tbh.